END OF THE TRAIL
The chapter wishes to convey its sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the family of the founder and longtime president David K. Clapsaddle in his passing on April 28, 2016 in Larned. Memorial donations of more than a thousand dollars will be placed in the marker fund. Thank you to all who donated.

WINTER MEETING MINUTES
The Wet/Dry Routes Chapter met in Kinsley, Kansas on January 24, 2016 beginning with a fried chicken luncheon at 1:00pm at Straits Cafe followed by the 1:45pm business meeting and program. Vice President Rosetta Graff of Kinsley conducted the meeting with election of officers on the agenda. The Faye Anderson Award was presented to Fort Larned Historical Site Ranger Ellen Jones for her contribution of the Traveling Trunks program. An update on the Ash Creek new signage was given by leo Oliva and Doug Springer. Featured speaker was Chief Ranger George Elmore,a 40 year veteran at Fort Larned National Historic Site speaking on “A Voice from the Past: Corporal leander Herron and the Medal of Honor.” Corporal Leander Herron was stationed at Fort Larned in 1868. Recently, the Fort was given an oral account of Corporal Herron and his heroic efforts to aid a wood detail of soldiers under
attack by Kiowa Indians. In 1919, Corporal Herron was awarded the Medal of Honor for risking his life to aid his fellow soldiers. Those attending were treated to listening to the voice of a soldier who was actually stationed at Fort Larned and his exciting experience done in a power point presentation with music. Elmore enlisted two of the chapter’s young members,Kayla Leiker,8th grade and Blake Cranford, 4th grade both of larned, in dressing in period clothing of a “rank and file” soldier. About 55 were in attendance.

SUMMER MEETING
The Chapter will convene at 7:00 pm at the Barton County Historic Village,85 S. U.S. 281(south of the bridge and on the west side) on Monday,July 25 and will be joining the Quivira Chapter and the Barton County Historical Society. Prior to the program at 7:30pm,the chapter will have a short business meeting conducted by Vice President Rosetta Graff of Kinsley. A Kansas Humanities Council Program will be presented by Dr. Leo Oliva, “Women Writers on the Santa Fe Trail.” The meeting will be conducted in the air-conditioned museum. For additional information, call Alice Clapsaddle at 620-285-3295.
Members are reminded that the dedication of the Susan Shelby McGoffin interpretive sign will be dedicated during Rendezvous 2016 in the late afternoon,September 22 at Ash Creek Crossing. A good showing by the membership would be appreciated. The dedication will be short but you may wish to bring a lawn chair. Dr. and Mrs. Daryl (Nadine) Apley’s, long time members of the chapter, grandson Adam Apley owns this property. Through the generosity of the Apley family,the marker will be placed on the pr-operty. Dr. Leo Oliva will preside ever the presentation.

RENDEZVOUS 2016
The bi-annual Rendezvous will be held at Larned on September 22-24 and will be hosted by the Santa Fe Trail Association,Fort Larned National Historic Site and the Santa Fe Trail Center. The opening session, usually a dinner, will be held at the Santa Fe Trail Center and is opened to the public for the price of the dinner. Information should come out about first of August. For additional information,contact the Santa Fe Trail Center.

2017 ELECTION
OF OFFICERS
A nominating committee will be appointed for the 2017 state of officers for the Chapter.Should you have any ideas, please contact Rosetta Graff, 620-659-2534 or email Librarian281942@yahoo.com ideas or comments are welcome.

NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM
Several members of the SFTA attended the Partnership for the National Trails System meeting and workshop on June 6-10, 2016 in Independence,MO. This meeting is seldom near the Santa Fe Trail making it more attractive to attend. Alice Clapsaddle,Joanne and Greg Va. Covern and Ross Marshall were in attendance from the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter. Ross Marshall led the mobile tours in and around the Kansas City area.
Two important events of the conference were the rededication of the Bronze Medallion by the National Park Service on the grounds of the Independence, Mo. Courthouse and the dedication of the Powder Mill Bridge (pedestrian) which spans 1-435 at Bannister Road in South Kansas City,Mo.
This new span is the longest pedestrian bridge crossing a major interstate highway in the United States that is solely dedicated to the National Historic Trails. Funding for the National Trails System from the federal government is through the efforts of this partnership.
The Wet/Dry Routes Chapter participates in collecting data for the partnership.

RENDEZVOUS
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Sept. 22 Thursday
SFTA Board Meeting-Trail Center
5:30 p.m.—Dedication of the Susan Shelby Magoffin marker at the Ash Creek Crossing, Dr. Leo Oliva
6:30 p.m.—Dinner and program at the Trail Center- Dr. Ann Birney portraying Julia Archibald Holmes
Sept. 23 friday
At the Community Center
8:45-9 a.m.—Welcome
9-9:45 a.m.—Dr. Alice Anne Thompson, A Portrait Gallery of the Women of the Santa Fe Trail, 15 minutes for questions
10-10:30 a.m.—Coffee Break
10:30-11:15 a.m.—Minoma Littlehawk Sills, Lives of Cheyenne Women during the Period of the Santa Fe Trail, 15 minutes for questions
1-1:45 p.m.—Dr. Susan Boyle, The Women of Missouri and New Mexico, 15 minut’es for questions
2-2:45 p.m.—Dr. Leo Oliva, Mexican-American Women on the Santa Fe Trail, 15 minutes for questions
3:30-4:15 p.m.—Kitty Franks portraying Kitty Hays, 15 minutes for questions
6 p.m.—Dinner, Program, Donna Madison as Cathay Williams, SFTA Awards, SFTA Hall of Fame Inductions
Sept. 24 saturday
8-9:30 a.m.—SFTA Membership Meeting
9:30-10:15 a.m.—Shirley Coupal and Pat Traffas- Why the DAR saved the Santa Fe Trail, 15 minutes for questions
11-12—Panel of Modern Women Preserving, Protecting, and Promoting the Santa Fe Trail
12-1:30 p.m.—Lunch on your own
1:30-2:15 p.m.—Jan MacKell Collins, Prostitutes of the Santa Fe Trail, 15 minutes for questions
3-3:45 p.m.—Ellen Jones, Fashion Show, 15 minutes for questions
4-4:45 p.m.—Angela Bates portraying Stage Coach Mary
6 p.m.—Retreat
6:15 p.m.—Dinner and Program, Susan Ward, great-great-granddaughter of Katie Bowen